'Hollywood & Vines' evokes glamour of yesteryear

This week's Candid Candace column covered the 2011 Lincoln Park Zoo Ball, which was themed "Hollywood & Vines." The 980 attendees could hear the Siberian tigers roaring nearby as they took to the dance floor, serenaded by the Ken Arlen Orchestra. Bill Kurtis, emcee for the evening, was outfitted for a trek through the jungle, complete with a safari jacket and pith helmet. The event raised nearly $1 million towards the planned Nature Boardwalk, a green space designed to shelter wildlife. To learn more about the 2011 Zoo Ball read Candace Jordan's column "Candid Candace."

The theme, "Hollywood & Vines," described the atmosphere perfectly as the patrons and the animals became one with the night for the 2011 Zoo Ball. You could hear the Siberian tigers roaring nearby as the glamorous patrons, serenaded by the Ken Arlen Orchestra, took to the dance floor. The twin tents holding the 980 attendees were nestled right in the middle of the animal habitats. The gorillas slept peacefully throughout the VIP reception held in the Regenstein Center for African Apes, oblivious of the people in attendance, including Kevin Bell (president and CEO of Lincoln Park Zoo), Emily and John Alexander (chairman of the zoo board), Abby Zanarini (Women's Board president), Jay and Gale Gottlieb (former Women's Board president), Mike Harrington and Anne Pramaggiore (corporate co-chair), Rosemary Jones and Kirsten Rider (event co-chairs), and Kimbra and Mark Walter (CEO of presenting sponsor Guggenheim Partners). "Lincoln Park Zoo is the nation's only free, privately managed zoo. It needs and deserves the support that we all have extended tonight," Mark Walter said.

The baroque, Old Hollywood style decor by Heffernan Morgan/Ronsley included palm leaves interspersed with lilies on some tables while others had twinkling crystal candelabra. Bill Kurtis, emcee for the evening, was outfitted for a trek through the jungle, complete with a safari jacket and pith helmet. Before dinner, guests were encouraged to take a turn on the 11-year-old carousel designed to resemble a 19th century version.